ABOUT

Established in 2008, Honor the Stop (HTS) is a non-profit corporation promoting safe, courteous and respectful use of road ways. Through a personal pledge to obey all roadway laws, HTS promotes also honor and respect for those killed or suffering serious injury. No one group or individual is more or less important than any other. The HTS symbolism (red & black silicone wristband) is a simple non-divisive and non-partisan connotation for all, regardless of how they use the roads.

The concept of HTS had been put together a year before the tragedy (3/9/08) motivated a call to action. For years, triathlete coach Marc Evans (www.evancoaching.com) who founded HTS held firm beliefs on obeying the roadway rules when training clients. Safety was a priority.

A year before the deaths of two exceptional people while cycling the San Jose Mercury News interviewed Marc about cyclists and the growing antagonism with motorists. An idea for a multi-colored synthetic (one color red for obeying the rules of the road) wristband was discussed to remind cyclists to obey the rules of the road (obey and respect others rights).

Kristy Gough, a professional triathlete and aspiring elite level cyclist was an IRONMAN triathlon age-group champion and world record holder was killed while cycling together with Matt Petersen by a patrolling Sheriff Deputy who apparently was dozing when driving on Stevens Canyon Road in Cupertino, California on March 9, 2008.

On March 16th, 2008 Marc brought a homemade red and black wristband to honor Kristy to a memorial ride with over 1000 other cyclists organized by Kristy and Matts friends, supporters, mother, families and cycling teams (Roaring Mouse and 3rd Pillar Racing) – Marc rode at the back the few miles to the crash site and road side memorial and placed the first HTS wristband on the marker.Honor the Stop was born by the loss of Kristy and Matt.

The black and red silicone wrist band is worn by those pledging to honor those who lost their lives on the roadways (the black) and obey traffic laws (the red).

By May of 2008 the Town of Woodside, CA voted to endorse and authorize the purchase of 5000 HTS black & red” wristbands and the HTS web site is launched.

In July of 2008 the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, the Menlo Park Police Department, and the San Mateo County Department of Public Works endorse HTS and are coordinating a county-wide Honor the Stop campaign with Marc Evans.

In August 2008, the New York Times reporter Jan Hoffman writes in, "Moving Targets" about "driver-rider hostility" and the vitriolic interchanges between automobile drivers and bicyclists. Marc Evans and Woodside, Ca Town Manager Susan George discuss the Honor the Stop campaign.

In September of 2008 1300 HTS silicone bracelets and pledge cards are distributed to bicyclists at the Tour for Woodside, motorcyclists, and to motorists and pedestrians. The CHP, San Mateo County Sheriff, and City of Menlo Park Police assist full force in the effort.

And in September 2009, in the Carson Valley HTS partnered with the Theatre of Arts Discipline donating 300 wristbands (helping to raise $8000 - 9/09) and pledging attendees during a benefit concert for Rebecca Martin an 11-year-old Gardnerville resident struck by a car on Aug. 13, 2010 and in a coma for some 3-weeks.

By the end of September of 2009 (Las Vegas) the State of Nevada and Governor's office of the Bicycle Advisory Board votes to endorses unanimously (12-0) Honor the Stop and its Bicycle+People Sunday initiative in Douglas County, NV. A Bicycle + People Sunday festival sets aside a roadway for events and themes relating to road way safety education, a living festival beneficiary for donations, pledging ceremonies and non-competitive calendar of events separately for children and adults; bicycling, walking, stroller, hikers, running etc., along with nutrition foods, music and preferred partner vendors.

On January 4th, 2010 the State of Nevada Governor’s Bicycle Advisory Board issues a letter of support and endorsement of a Douglas County Bicycle+People Sunday concept. The board consists of individuals in the state from the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Health Division, Commission on Tourism, Environmental Protection, Bicycle Safety and Education and others.

In 2010, HTS launches a new web site to expand the message by partnering with corporations, foundations, governments, individuals and other donors to raise awareness and generate financial support for select beneficiaries at HTS Bicycle+People Sunday events and special beneficiaries nominated by partners and donors of HTS.